Show case



JuHy 17, 1934.

L. W.. KENNEDY SHOW CASE Filed Aug. 11, 1930 l 1 sheets-sheet 1 JuHy l?, 1934. L. w. KENNEDY 1,966,964

sHow cAsE Filed Aug. ll, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 wml MM ATTORNE i S Juy 17, 1934. 1 w. KENNEDY W CASE Filed Aug. 1l, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY- July 17, 1193.4. L. wf KENNEDY l 1,966,964

SHOW CASE Filed Aug. 11, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 /6 MKM www# ATTORNEYS Patented July 17, 1934 UNITED STATES v sHoW oAsE Lec W. Kennedy, Detroit, Mich.

Appiication August 11,

17 Claims.

This invention relates to show cases and refers more particularly to improvements therein which tend to simplify the construction and render the show cases more eicient.

One of the primary objects of this invention is to provide a new and improved means for mounting a show case on a supporting counter or the like.

A further object of this invention is to provide means for removably supporting the lights of the show case from the oor thereof. Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved means for removably supporting the dividers or partitions of the show case in position.

The invention has as a still further object to reduce to a minimum, the number of clips required to hold the lights of the show case in assembled position and contemplates further the provision of a single frame member which constitutes an anchoring means for all of these securing clips.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be more apparent as the following description proceeds, particularly when reference is had to the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure l is a fragmentary perspective view of a show case constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention;

Figure 2 is a sectional View taken substantially on the line 2 2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 3 3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the means provided for removably mounting the lights of the show case in position; Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective View showing the parts of the show case in spaced relation to each other;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 6 6 of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 7 7 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary elevational view of a portion of the structure shown in Figure 6;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 9 9 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a detail perspective view of a portion of the structure shown in Figure 8; and

Figure 11 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing a slightly modied form of construction. f

Referring then particularly to the drawings wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout all views, there is illustrated in Figure 1 a show case designated gener- 1930,v serial No.' 474,528 (c1.v 31e- 114) ally by the reference character 10, this show case being provided with the oor 11, end lights 12, front light 13, and top light 14. The floor l1 is bordered by molding strips, 15 which are spaced slightly above the upper face of the floor by spacing strips 16, the molding strips being so arranged that they project slightly beyond the edges of the floor. t A covering17 of Monelmetal or the like is preferably arranged over the floor 11v and the innerfaces of the molding strips 15 and spacing strips 13, this covering having its edges anchored in the molding strips as clearly illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings.

, For supporting the show case there is provided a supporting counter 18 which may be in the form of a table orV like member. This supporting counter is provided in its upper vface with a recess 19 shaped to receive the oor 11 of the show case as clearly illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawings. The projecting portions of the molding strips 15 project beyond the borders of the recess and rest on the .portions of the supporting counter which immediately surround the recess. If desired, felt strips 20 may be positioned between the molding strips and the top surfacel of the supporting counter as clearly illustrated in Figure 4 of the drawings. y By providing a recess in the top of the supporting counter as above described, it will be apparent that the invention provides for a firm mounting of the show case on the supporting counter. Further, by virtue of the fact that the projecting portions of the molding strips rest on the portions of the supporting counter which surround the recess, the general appearance of the supporting counter and the show case is improved.

The invention further contemplates the provision of an improved means for removably mounting the end and front lights in position. To accomplish this the end and front molding strips are provided in their upper faces with grooves 25, adapted to receive the lower edges of the end and iront lights respectively. It will be noted that these grooves are vertically opening grooves so that the end and front lights of the show case are, in the form of construction disclosed, supported at substantially right angles to the floor 11 of the show case.

Heretofore it has been customary in mounting a show case light in a molding strip or the like, to provide a detachable strip which constitutes one side ofthe groove in which the edge of the light is mounted. This has not proven entirely satisfactory because of the fact that whenever Gil.

it was desired to remove the light it was necessary to first remove this strip which was generally secured to the molding strip by a plurality of screws or the like. The present invention contemplates the elimination of this difculty by providing means for yieldably retaining each light in the groove in which it is seated. Thus, by reference to Figure 4 of the drawings it will be noted that there is mountedin each groove a spring strip 26. Each-spring strip is provided with a base portion xed to the base of the groove and a side portion which is returnbent as at 27 to provide a free edge 28 which yieldably engages the inner side of the groove. Thus, the side portion of the spring strip is constantly urged into engagement with the side of the light adjacent the: lower edge thereof so that when the edge of thelight is inserted in the groove, this edge of the light is gripped by the spring strip and firmly held in position. Obviously, when it iskdesired to remove the light it is only necessary to .draw the same upwardly out oi' the groove, the spring strip yielding sufriciently for this purpose.

To provide means for retaining the top light and the upper edges of the end and front vlights in position, there is provided a frame member 30. This frame member extends longitudinally of the show case adjacent theupper rear edge thereof and is supported from the floor. of the vshow case by two or more pillars 31, the number of pillars necessary being dependent-upon the length of the show case. Each .pillar is provided with a base portion 32 bolted or otherwise secured to the door of the show caseand with a hanged top portion 33 which rests within the frame member 30. As clearly illustrated the frame member is preferably U-shaped in cross section, the ange portion 33 of the pillar being bolted or otherwise secured to the base of the 'U. The top of the frame member 30 constitutes a support for the rear edge of the light 14 and accordingly there ispreferably provided a felt covering 34 for the top'surface of this frame member. The top surface of the frame member 30 which, it will beV understood, is the base of the U, also provides means for engaging the edge o'f the top light to prevent lateral movenient of the same and to accomplish this the top 1 surface of the frame member is extended slightly beyond the end light l2 and is bent upwardly to provide the flange which engages the edge ,of the top light 14.

One of the sides of the frame member 30 te;- minates at the plane of the inner face of the end light 12 and the other side of the frame member is bent inwardly as designated by the reference character 40 to providea ange 4l which engages the inner face ofthe end light 12 adjacent the upper edge of thesame. Y A clip 42 fixed as by the bolt 43 to the projecting end of the top of the frame member engages the outer face of the end light l2 adjacent the upper edge of the same and thus `cooperates with the ilange 41 to provide a channel in which the upper corner of the end light is firmly held. For preventing rearward movement of Athe top light 14, there is provided a'clip 45 having the channel portion 46 which embraces the rear edge of the top light and having the flat extension 47 which is bolted or otherwise xed to the side of the frame member 30. Thus, the top light is prevented from lateral movement by the flange .35 and from movement rearwardly by the clip 46.

' light l2.

5:2 which is adapted to engage the forward edge of the top light and the laterally extending downwardly opening channel portion 53 which is adapted to engage the upper edge of the end This clip is anchored to the -frame member by a brace rod which includes the sections 54 and 55 adjustably connected at their adjacent ends by la'turnbuclrle 56, the section .54.beingvhooked at its other end in a projecting portion 57 of the clip 50 and the section 55 being hooked at its rear end in an eye 53 struck from the innerl side of the .frame memberV 30.

In accordance withV the usual practice, the interior of the show caser is preferably divided into a plurality of compartments by glass dividers'or partitions 60. For removably supporting these partitions in position there is provided a pair of channel members 61 which are nxed to the floor of the show case vas by screws or the like 62.` The lower-edge of the glass partition seats in these channel members while the upper edge thereof is engaged vby a channel shaped clip 63..

As clearly illustrated in Figures '8 to 10, inclusive, of the drawings, there is xed to the base of the channel shaped clip- 63 a stud bolt 64, this stud bolt being held in position preferably by means of a washer 65 which engages the under faceof the base of the clip. This stud bolt is provided with a head 66 and is adapted to engage in a slot 67 formed in an angle plate 68, which angle plate is fastened to the frame member 30 by bolts or the like 69. A thumb nut 70 threadedly engages the stud 64 and is adapted to be screwed up lagainst the bottom of the slotted angle member to rmly clamp the slotted portionof the angle clip against the head 66.

In positioning the partitions within the show case, each partition may be rst set into the channel members Gland may then be raised to a vertical position. The top clip 63 is then engaged with the upper edgeofy the partition and this clip is then moved rearwardly of the partitionl to position the stud Abolt in the slot 67. The thumb nut is then screwed tightly against the head 66 to firmly hold the clip 63 in engagement .with the clip v68. Thus it will be noted that the partition will be rmly supported in position and that this partition may be placed in the show case without the use of tools or the like. Y

From the above it will be apparent that'the invention provides a single'frame member arranged adjacent the upper rear edge of the show case and provides means for anchoring the several clips utilized for holding the lights in assembled position, to this frame member. Thus, whenever it is desired to disassemble the show case it is only necessary to remove the clips 42 and 45 after which the top light may beremoved and-then the front and end lights lifted from the grooves inthe molding strips.

It will further be apparent that the invention provides clips for holding the upper edges of the dividers or partitions in position and also proi vides means for anchoringrthese clips to the frame member 30. lA

In Figure 11 a slightly modified form of con'- struction is shown in which slidable doors "are provided for closing the rear of the show case'. By reference to this gure it will be noted that the bolt '75 which anchors the clip 45' to the frame member 30 also anchors, to the inner face of the side of the frame member, a flange 76 which is formed on the end of a plate '77'. This plate projects rearwardly beyond the edge of the frame member in al substantially horizontal position. Fixed to the under face of the plate 77 adjacent'the rear Yedge of thesamegis a spacing strip 78 andxed to the .under face of this facing strip, is a second plate '79 which is similar to the plate 77.' A second spacing strip 80 is xed to the 'plate 'I9 and supportsa plate 81 in spaced relation to the plate 79. Thus, spaced'grooves are provided which extendlongitudinally of the showcase at theV upper rear edge of the same for slidably receivingv the iianged ends of doors 82 and v83. The lower edges of these doors are supported in grooves 84 and 85 formed by a plurality of plates which are fixed together in the same manner asare the plates 77, 79 and 8l and whichare mounted on the upper face of the rear molding strip 15. rIhus, the doors 82 and 83 are mounted for sliding movement, longitudinally of the show case and these doors are so supported that one may be moved over top of the other as clearly illustrated in Figure 6 of the drawings.

From the above it will be clearly apparent that the invention provides an improved construction for supporting a show case on a supporting counter or the like, and an improved means for removably mounting the lights and dividers of the show case in position. It will be apparent that the number of clips required to hold the lights of the show case in assembled position have been reduced to a minimum and that all of these clips may be anchored to a single frame member which constitutes a support for the rear edge of the top light. It will be noted further that the invention provides clips for holding the upper edges of the dividers in position, together with means for anchoring these clips to the single frame member which constitutes an anchor for the light securing clips and that the invention further provides sliding doors for closing the rear of the show case.

While the invention has been described in considerable detail, it is to be understood that the description is for the purpose of illustration only and that the right is reserved to make such changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts as will fall within the purview of the attached claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. In a show case construction, a oor, a molding strip bordering said oor, a light having its lower edge seated in a vertically opening groove Y. in said molding strip, and a spring strip in said a free `edgewhich engages: a. side v of said -groove whereby theiside portion Vof Vsaid spring strip is yieldably urged into engagement with the side of said light adjacent theedge thereof. v

3. In a show case construction, a floor, a top light, a'longitudinally extending frame member providing a seatfor the reariedge of said top light, a partition, channel members fixed to the floor of said show case. for receiving the lower edge of said partitioma clip; engaging the .upper .edge of said` Apartitions.` studU carried by said clip, and meansanchoring said stud'to said frame member.

4.-In a show case construction, a longitudinally extendingrframe member, said member being of invertedxU cross sectional shape and having one of .its sides-bent laterally. to provide a depending flange .spaced inwardly fromk the projecting end of the b'aseo'f the U, a .clip secured to theprojectingend fofthe basef'of the U. and cooperating with the said flange to'iorm a-channel, and an end 1 light having. its upperzrear.-edgepositioned in said channel. u: 5. Y-Ina show caserconstruction, .a-floor, an end light, a longitudinally. extending frame member rigidly supported from ythe floor, saidframe member having a-portion'engaging the innerrface of said` z end light: adjacent r.the upper' edge thereof but spaced froinf-thefrearedge thereof andhaving a secondiportionprojecting beyond the upper edge of said end light, fand a vclip secured to the projecting portion of said frame member and engaging the outer face of said end light adjacent the upper edge of the same.

6. In a show case construction, a longitudinally extending frame member, a top light supported adjacent its rear edge by said frame member, doors slidable longitudinally of said show case for closing the rear thereof, runways for said doors, a clip engageable with the rear edge of said top light, and a single securing means for securing said clip and said runways to said frame member.

7. In a show case construction, a oor, a top light, an end light, a frame member rigidly supported from the floor and constituting a support for the rear edge oi' said top light, said frame member being provided with a flange at one end engageable with the edge of said top light and being provided with a second flange spaced inwardly from its end and engageable with the inner face of said end light adjacent the upper edge thereof but spaced from the rear edge thereof, and a clip secured to said frame member and engaging the outer face of said end light adjacent the upper edge thereof.

8. In a show case construction, a floor, a top light, an end light, and a frame member rigidly supported from the oor, said member having a substantially horizontal portion constituting a support for the rear edge of said top light and having an integral upwardly turned flange engageable with an edge of said top light and an integral downwardly extending flange engageable with one side of said end light adjacent the upper edge thereof but spaced from the rear edge thereof.

9. In a show case construction, a partition, frame member, a clip engageable with the upper edge of said partition, a slotted plate rigidly secured to said frame member above said partition, a stud carried by said clip, and means for rigidly securing said stud to said slotted plate.

10. In a show case construction, a frame mem- 1oer, a slotted angle plate fixed to said frame member, a partition, a clip engageable with the upperedgeofssidpertimastndnxedtoseid clip and nrranged to engage in the slot in seid angle plate, and a nut threaded on seid stud end engageable with said angle plete los clnxnDiDK said angle plate to said stud.

1i. In a. show ease constniction. ineens provi ing a light receiving groove, s. light having en edge seated in said groove, and s. spring strip extending longitudinally of seid groove sind having one or its longitudinal edge portions return bent and disposed between a. side ot said groove and the adjacent side o! seid light to yeldebly retain the edge ot said light in said groove.

12. In a. show cese construction. means providing a light-receiving groove, a light having an edge'seated in said groove, and e spring strip extending longitudinally ot said groove end-heving s. portion dispod between the edge o( said light kand the base of seid groove end heringe second return bent portion disposed between s side o! seid groove and the adjacent side o! the light.

i3. In a show ease construction. s. door. s. frame member extending longitudinally o! the cese end rigidly supported from the door, s partition. s clip engaging the upper edge of said partition intermediate the ends thereof, end means anchoring said clip to said frame member.

14. In a show case construction. s. floor, e frame member rigidly supported from the door, e pertition.v s. clip engaging the upper edge of said partition, and means for detachably securing the clip to the frame member While the clip is in engagement with the said partition.

.15.v In a show case construction, a frame memher. a. partition, a clip engaging the upper edge of said partition, a slotted plate carried by said frame member, and a. headed element carried by seid clip and engageable in the slot in said slotted plete for securing the clip to the frame member. v

16. In a. show case construction, a floor, an end light. and a frame member rigidly supported from the door and having portions engaging the inner and outer faces of said end light adjacent the upper edge thereof and intermediate the ends thereof for holding said light in position.

17. In a, show case construction, a floor, an end light. e longitudinally extending frame member rilidly supported from the oor and having a. portion engaging the Vinner face of said end light adjacent the upper edge-thereof and intermediate the ends thereof, said frame member having e portion projecting over the top of said end light and beyondthe outer vface thereof, and means secured to the projecting portion of said frame member and engaging the outer face of said end light adjacent Vthe upper edge thereof.

LEO W. KENNEDY. 

